11 minutes ago, the special one said:

Silky Rolls Royce in appearance, but under the bonnet he's just a cheap knockoff.

You're not a fan then?!!

2 minutes ago, Nibs said:

You're not a fan then?!!

Lol, tbh I haven't made up my mind yet - I still think he lacks the quality to become a genuine Rolls Royce but that doesn't mean I don't necessarily rate him. I think he's certainly good enough for England and most Premier League clubs - I just question whether he has what it takes to make that step up to elite level (which ultimately for me would help us compete for top 4).

Edited June 20, 20188 yr by the special one

To be honest, I'm still a bit undecided about Ruben's future as well.  All I think at the moment is that if he wasn't one of our own, would we have a thread started saying we really really must buy him, unless it was started by @RIP Mourinho ?

We have posters saying we should buy Lewis Cook so yes, i imagine there would be some talk about Ruben if he was elsewhere. If he was at another team, he'd also have 100+ pro games under his belt and likely be even better than he is currently. 

No, we have Lewis Cook's grandad saying we should  buy him.  Not the same thing at all 

This is the thing with RLC and just like @yorkleyblue and @the special one, I'm still not totally convinced. He seems to have all the ingredients to be a top player but all he has shown to date are glimpses. It's a weird situation that on the one hand he is now a Full International and he could cement himself a place in the England Team but on the other hand, many of us are still skeptical. 

He's a massive unit and earlier in his career he would have used that physical presence as an advantage over the smaller lads. Now he might find his size could hinder him although no doubt all the coaching team and dietitians will be monitoring things closely. But hopefully sooner rather than later we will give him a proper run in the side and it will then be down to him to take that chance and show what he is really capable of because up to now, he's been decent but seems to lack that "WOW Factor".

 

Edited June 20, 20188 yr by Nibs

I hope RLC gets a start so we can see him in a different light for England, I'm in the camp that thinks best to sell him to Palace or another team. Just don't see him as first team selection for a top club.

56 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

We have posters saying we should buy Lewis Cook so yes, i imagine there would be some talk about Ruben if he was elsewhere. If he was at another team, he'd also have 100+ pro games under his belt and likely be even better than he is currently. 

Game time is crucial in terms of development and really he has only had 1 full season of game time by Palace ( I didn't watch enough of them to see how he did tbh).

He is at an age where it is make or break in terms of if he is to get to a level in the game that will allow him to play a big role in a team like us.

I think the boy is really good.  He has linked up and made Zaha shine at Palace.  He's a combo of strength pace and creativity.  He deserves a chance at Chelsea.  If he was in France at Monaco - Chelsea would be trying to sign him for 50 million right now!

I think we need to give the lad a full season before we really make our minds up.

We let Bakayoko have a season.

Why not let one of our own have a chance to shine.

7 minutes ago, the real shed end said:

I think we need to give the lad a full season before we really make our minds up.

We let Bakayoko have a season.

Why not let one of our own have a chance to shine.

Would he trust us to do that given our mutual history?

5 hours ago, the real shed end said:

I think we need to give the lad a full season before we really make our minds up.

We let Bakayoko have a season.

Why not let one of our own have a chance to shine.

Cause we did not buy him for 40mill.

We should give him and mount a chance. Get rid of Pedro and baka imo

Literally the only reason people are "unconvinced" is because he doesn't run around like a headless chicken. It's the same reason people claimed Chalobah was more deserving of minutes 2 years ago.

Just a single season with consistent gametime (despite suffering a major injury midway through it) and he's already forced himself into the England team & is on the verge of starting at the World Cup.

His swift progression has been insane considering Conte was convinced he was a striker only a year ago.

18 minutes ago, Gilvorak said:

Literally the only reason people are "unconvinced" is because he doesn't run around like a headless chicken.

Not at all - please give fellow supporters a bit more credit than that.

 

I could leave Chelsea in search of first-team football – Loftus-Cheek
http://sport.bt.com/football/i-could-leave-chelsea-in-search-of-first-team-football-loftus-cheek-S11364279277400

 

I'm not 100% convinced myself, more like 70% sure he will make it, but it doesn't matter. He's gone out and done more than what was expected of him, he deserves the chance of first team matches based on merit alone. 

22 minutes ago, the special one said:

I could leave Chelsea in search of first-team football – Loftus-Cheek
http://sport.bt.com/football/i-could-leave-chelsea-in-search-of-first-team-football-loftus-cheek-S11364279277400

 

He knows he's destined for bigger things than a bench role. Will stay and start for us next season. 

Agreed. He'll get a chance next season.  

Up to him what he does with it. 

19 hours ago, Nibs said:

He's a massive unit and earlier in his career he would have used that physical presence as an advantage over the smaller lads. Now he might find his size could hinder him although no doubt all the coaching team and dietitians will be monitoring things closely.

It didn't seem to do Yaya Toure any harm.

5 minutes ago, Kentonio said:

It didn't seem to do Yaya Toure any harm.

Didn't do Pogba any harm either.

But there's a very significant difference in quality.

8 minutes ago, the special one said:

Didn't do Pogba any harm either.

But there's a very significant difference in quality.

Yaya's career really took off when he joined Monaco at 24 years old. Had a good season there before moving to Barca where he started off playing at centre back. I'm not sure you'd have seen that "very significant difference in quality" between Ruben and a 22  year old Yaya who was playing for Metarluh Donetsk.

Loftus-Cheek oozes quality in my opinion, although that doesn't mean that he'll be able to make the step up to "elite" level. I feel like he needs to have a game where he dominates/wins it for us (or England) on his own. It's a tough ask, but I reckon he has it in his locker.

17 minutes ago, DannyVblue said:

Yaya's career really took off when he joined Monaco at 24 years old. Had a good season there before moving to Barca where he started off playing at centre back. I'm not sure you'd have seen that "very significant difference in quality" between Ruben and a 22  year old Yaya who was playing for Metarluh Donetsk.

Loftus-Cheek oozes quality in my opinion, although that doesn't mean that he'll be able to make the step up to "elite" level. I feel like he needs to have a game where he dominates/wins it for us (or England) on his own. It's a tough ask, but I reckon he has it in his locker.

Don't bother wasting your time, he'll say anything to put RLC down. RLC could move to Barca and he'd still argue he will never be Chelsea quality.

It's funny with RLC.

Some see tons of quality and potential and others see a footballer who just doesn't stand out or show the signs that he will be a top, top player.

I'm with the latter really, I will be surprised if he makes it with us or any other top side. Hopefully wrong mind you

Football on Loftus-Cheek

Roy Hodgson

 

Quote

'In the games he has played [at Crystal Palace], he has been almost our best player in every one of them.

'We have Wilfried Zaha of course, but he has certainly been on his coat-tails. I have not worked with many players better than Ruben Loftus-Cheek and what he can be.

'He has the chance to be a really top player at club and international level because he doesn't have any weaknesses.' 

 

Gareth Southgate

 

Quote

“Ruben is another super talent. It’s still early for him. He’s still learning the game really, even as an England international, as he has so few league appearances under his belt and is incredibly raw. But we believe in him.

“We know the talent he has, I don't think he knows how good he can be. You can see the ability he has to hold people off, his speed of feet and the strength when he is running with the ball. A super talent, and different to the other players we have.”

 

Eric Dier

 

Quote

"Everyone has known of Ruben's potential for a long time," Dier said after the game.

"I think it is great now that he is at Crystal Palace and playing week in and week out, that is only going to help his development.

"It is great that we are seeing the potential that everyone has been talking about and now it is up to him to keep pushing himself, keep working hard and looking to improve."

Tony Cascarino

 

Quote

"He’s Michael Ballack of the midfield. He can be an attacker, he shields the ball brilliantly, and for Wilf [Zaha’s] goal… his tight control in possession – he does it brilliantly.

"You cannot ignore him. He won’t be the Mo Salah, the Kevin De Bruyne that’s let go by Chelsea.

"If any club thinks they are going to snatch him away from Chelsea on the cheap, that is not going to happen to Loftus-Cheek for me. I think he’ll be a Chelsea player next year.

"He could be in the Chelsea team now instead of Tiemoue Bakayoko — he is as good as the Frenchman signed for £40 million — and I think he would be a good midfield partner for N’Golo Kante."

 

 

Mikel

 

Quote

Mikel told The Sun: “He was an amazing talent when I was at Chelsea.

“I used to speak to him a lot. John Terry, Frank Lampard and I used to give him advice, and the important thing is that he's a good kid, he listens a lot, a very humble kid.

“He excites me every time I see him play, during training, everything he does is amazing. He will definitely, definitely be one for the future for England.

“I think he needs to try and figure out where his natural position is, where he fits well, but for me I see him as a number 10 behind the strikers because he has the power to drive the ball and give defenders a break."

 

 

Stuart Pearce

 

Quote

"He's a Rolls Royce of a player there's no doubt," he said.

"You know, confident on the ball. I'd like to see, I mean, we saw a few clips before the game about how he drives with energy, I'd liked to have seen a bit more of that tonight.

"Because I think he can do near enough anything in the game."

 

Joey Barton

Quote

“I was really impressed by Loftus-Cheek when he came on,” he told talkSPORT.

“He looked lively and had that ability to go past a player from midfield.

“I just had a funny feeling, and I’m not comparing them by any stretch, but my first World Cup as a kid was Italia 90 and Gascoigne obviously started that tournament as a squad player.

“He had the number 19 on his back and by the end of the tournament he’d really been taken into the country’s hearts.

“I just have a feeling that could be Loftus-Cheek for England in Russia.

“He’s got that kind of quality, I really think that boy is that good of a player and I’d love to see him start getting more game time.”

 

 

Glenn Hoddle

 

Quote

Speaking to BT Sport post-match, Hoddle said: “He reminds me of Ballack – physically and the way he plays. He gets in the box and he moves well off the ball. He likes that position in behind the front player. Whether he’s going to get those opportunities I’m not sure.”
 

Sam Allardyce

 

Quote

“It’s nice to see Ruben Loftus-Cheek going to Crystal Palace,” Allardyce, who left the south London club this summer after helping avoid relegation, told PA.

“I think if he’d done it five years ago he may well have been another Dele Alli or Harry Kane but unfortunately his development has been blocked by staying at Chelsea so long.
 

 

Ruud Gullit

 

Quote

“I always loved this guy, also when he was at Chelsea. I saw him playing yesterday as well.

“He’s so influential and I think the more he plays, the better he gets. He knows how to play his game, he knows how to go forward.

“I want him in the centre, he needs to have the ball. Technical, strong, he is a fantastic player. He is the one who has the brains.

“He’s a future England player, this one. I really believe in this boy, he’s a good player.”

Ray

 

Quote

Wilkins told talkSPORT about Loftus-Cheek: “This fella has great technique. He’s got two feet, he’s got energy and pace, he can score a goal and he can create goals.”

“Dele has played around 200 games now and he’s only 21 - I honestly do believe Loftus-Cheek has the ability to be equally as good as him, no question about it,” added Wilkins.

Tim Sherwood

Quote

“I feel this kid’s a Rolls Royce, I think he’s a real footballer,” said Sherwood on Sky Sports.

“I think he’s putting himself in the shop window for someone like Man City.

“’If Chelsea don’t want me, I’ll tell you what, Man City might want me’ – and he’s capable of playing for them.

“I think he’s good enough to play for Chelsea but he’s not going to get an opportunity there, so he’s done the right thing (by joining Crystal Palace).

“Last week he played his first game for Roy Hodgson and Roy brought him off and got booed.

“This kid’s a top player.”

Rio Ferdinand

Quote

Rio Ferdinand's attention had been caught by the imposing figure bedecked in blue, running the game from the centre of defence.

It was 2011 and the Nike Cup, the Under 16 tournament, was being staged at Manchester United's Carrington training ground. Chelsea had reached the final and were playing the Right To Dream Academy, the physically imposing representatives from Africa.

Chelsea were under pressure but Ferdinand's eye kept being drawn to how the young man he had spotted stayed composed and made his decisions with clarity. At the end, after Chelsea had won 1-0, he sought out Joe Edwards and Andy Myers, the team's coaches. He had one question.

‘The lad at the back,’ said Ferdinand. ‘Who is that?’

‘That’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek.’

 

 

I could post more of those but I cba right now. It's funny how everyone waxes lyrical about his talent & potential yet people on here downplay him because he doesn't run around like a maniac. The two Chelsea managers he's worked under so far (Mourinho, Conte) are ones that value KMs clocked over technical ability. Coaches who couldn't care less about nurturing & developing young talent.

Ruben got the lazy tag attached to him very early on by Mourinho & it's stuck ever since which is why the fanbase is so divided about him. He's struggled with his fitness & stamina since his growth spurts but both of those have already improved drastically now that he's finally getting consistent gametime.

Edited June 21, 20188 yr by Gilvorak